Top 18 Reasons to Live in Iowa

It's a Great Place for Small Businesses! The capital of Des Moines is a rare gem among capital cities: instead of being cluttered with oversized corporations, the city instead is a haven for small businesses - as is New Haven! Rent to own homes in these cities are a great investment.

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Victorian Houses for Sale or Rent! Who doesn't want to live in an old Victorian home? Find some amazing old homes in Osceola, Dubuque and other old towns throughout the state for as low as $170,000!

Local Farmers' Markets! From the Iowa City Farmers' Market to the Dubuque Farmers' Market and the Des Moines Farmers' Market, you can find all kinds of high-quality produce in any season. It's a great place to live if you want to spend less money and eat more healthy foods.

Green Energy! In 2012, nearly one quarter of all Iowa's electricity was created using wind farms. Wind projects like Intrepid and the Whispering Willow Wind Farm are helping Iowans pave the way to being fossil-fuel and oil-free in the near future!

Low Total Cost of Living! Overall, Iowa scores just 92 on the cost of living scale, with the US average set at 100! The main reason for Iowa's low cost of living is the rental and market costs on housing. Rent to own housing in this state is second to none in terms of quality and low prices.

Amana Colonies! The Amana Colonies are culturally connected to German settlers who came to Iowa in 1855. Keeping true to their roots, these Colonists produce top-quality handicrafts and foods that are available to buy in many locations. The Amana Meat Shop and Smokehouse provides customers with fantastic meat delicacies, while the Heritage Designs shop crafts beautiful handmade quilts.

The Steam Train! Iowa is home to one of the country's only surviving active steam engine trains, and what's more, you can take a real ride on it! Take a look at the display locomotives in Burlington and Council Bluffs, or take a ride between Boone and Scenic Valley. It's totally worth the time!

Pet-Friendly Rentals! Not going anywhere without your cat? That's fine! Approximately 50% of the housing in Iowa is pet-friendly. The most accommodating cities are Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Ankeny.

Scandinavian Decorah! Decorah is a small urban center characterized by vast natural beauty and innate diverse culture. Originally a popular spot for immigrants from Norway, Sweden and Denmark, Decorah still boasts a proud Scandinavian community. Partake in the ethnic music, dancing and food during Nordic Fest each summer, or learn more about Decorah's cultural heritage at the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.

Dutch Pella! Pella was founded by Dutch settlers in 1847, and today the quaint town still loudly echoes the culture of the Netherlands. Consider renting a home here if you want constant access to Dutch sweets, festivals and the nation's tallest working windmill!

Barn Quilt Trails! Iowa is home to all kinds of creative people, and that definitely includes the people responsible for all the barn quilts throughout the state! Barn quilts are patterned pictures that are constructed in large wooden pieces and then mounted onto a barn - the results look just like a huge-scale home-made quilt! Check out some fan favorites in Grundy Country and Howard County.

Iowan Cuisine! Heard of the pork tenderloin sandwich or the Walking Taco? If not, it's time you met them! Iowa is famous for its laid-back snack foods like the aforementioned sandwich and the kid-friendly Walking Taco, but it also prizes its wild game and natural vegetation. Venison and morel mushrooms are some of the state's most-loved local delicacies.

State Parks and Scenery! Get outdoors in one of the many beautiful Iowa State Parks, and enjoy some good times spent hiking, camping and fishing! Camp with full electric hookups at Backbone State Park, or have a fun day with the family and your pets at Lake Ahquabi State Park.

Affordable Urban Rentals! Iowa is home to many of the most affordable cities to live in the United States. Rent to own in Des Moines, Iowa City or Cedar Rapids to enjoy all the amenities of urban living at about 6% under the cost of the national average!

Top College Towns for Growing Kids! Not only does Iowa have affordable living for families, but great connections for college kids too. Dubuque, Iowa, is home to Clarke University; and Des Moines is home to Drake University. These are perfect cities in which to start families and see one's children through school.

The Iowa State Fair! Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls -- come one, come all to the greatest state fair in our fair state!" From the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival to the swap meet and trade show, the Iowa State Fair has it all. Friends, food, entertainment and everything you and your family needs to have a great time - and it happens every year!

Affordable Rural Homes! The further away from the urban centers, the lower the housing costs! Whether you want to rent to own in a small town like Estherville or in the middle of a rural haven near Little Sioux, the choices are all totally affordable. Many small towns in Iowa are marked at 90 or less on the cost of living scale, with a US average of 100.

Rent to Own Houses! Statewide, house hunters can find some rent to own deals with independent sellers or through realty companies like the Realty Store and Iowa Real Estate. If you need an even sweeter pot worry not, the median home price is just shy of $200,000 for the state!